Ducati Monster Forum

Well I have been constantly dropping the preverbial hint to the Mrs. she has agreed that I need a project bike.  [beer]. I am thinking a Mid 70's 860 or similar to do up. I prob will do a cafe style bike. I would like to stick to the italian bikes (just a thing I have, Dirt bike, Monster, now project all italian).
Any ideas or know anyone with a basket case in the back shed?
I am just beginning to learn about the older bikes so input will be nice. Not really worried about collector/investment just want a cool retro ride.

Something like this but in need of a rest.
http://bikepoint.com.au/DesktopDefault.aspx?UsedBikeID=3007022&TabID=3424 (http://bikepoint.com.au/DesktopDefault.aspx?UsedBikeID=3007022&TabID=3424)

That looks pretty good, its also a good idea that he has included a photo of the wiring which looks tidy, so you looking to buy that?









                                                               Mmick

been up that road and if your going to spend any $ and you will spend allot, your best doing up somthing that is going to be worth somthing at the end the 860 was a dog and a square case,You will need to look for a 74 750 GT its a round cast and holy grail.cost a bit more but worth a shit load more finished [thumbsup]

Bad example
http://cgi.ebay.com.au/1974-Ducati-Sport-Touring-750-GT-Bevel-Motorcycle_W0QQitemZ180307288553QQcmdZViewItemQQptZAU_Motorcycles?hash=item180307288553&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=66%3A2%7C65%3A1%7C39%3A1%7C240%3A1318 (http://cgi.ebay.com.au/1974-Ducati-Sport-Touring-750-GT-Bevel-Motorcycle_W0QQitemZ180307288553QQcmdZViewItemQQptZAU_Motorcycles?hash=item180307288553&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=66%3A2%7C65%3A1%7C39%3A1%7C240%3A1318)

Good example
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Ducati-Sport-Touring_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQ_trksidZp3286Q2em63Q2el1177QQhashZitem130268555840QQitemZ130268555840QQptZUSQ5fmotorcycles

that second one is a nice GT dock! great condition

I happen to know where there is a GT basket case sitting under a blanket , been working on him for a while now  [thumbsup]

How about a Moto Guzzi T3 850? I have seen a couple of Cafe racers that have started as a bomb T3 and turned out stunning.
Don
PS dont go for the square case ducati, Doc is right, round case are sweet

Here you go tri  [thumbsup]

http://au.youtube.com/watch?v=B6pCEm1pj_4 (http://au.youtube.com/watch?v=B6pCEm1pj_4)

http://au.youtube.com/watch?v=OBmdGbUnbAM&feature=related

Thanks guys, $$ is the issue of course, Any comments on the 80's era. They seem to be the forgotten decade, My old man reckons they were like a brown snake in the day and no one wanted to touch them. Read a few good things about the Pantah etc. Definately want a pre superbike phase.
Not sure I want to go to the trouble of importing....
Moto Guzzi may be an option, maybe Laverda???

A round case GT would be nice, a bit cheaper than a sport or ss and look sweet when they're given a bit of lovin'

(http://i298.photobucket.com/albums/mm259/andrewb172/gt750.jpg)

My brother's sport was a project that started off as a rolling Chassis that his better half bought him for Xmas (must be love)

(http://i298.photobucket.com/albums/mm259/andrewb172/bike/sport.jpg)

He's also got a Pantah that he's had for over 20 years, must have a photo somewhere..

what about this old single
http://cgi.ebay.com.au/Ducati-Classic-Race-Bike_W0QQitemZ230307607618QQcmdZViewItemQQptZAU_Motorcycles?hash=item230307607618&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=66%3A2|65%3A1|39%3A1|240%3A1318 (http://cgi.ebay.com.au/Ducati-Classic-Race-Bike_W0QQitemZ230307607618QQcmdZViewItemQQptZAU_Motorcycles?hash=item230307607618&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=66%3A2|65%3A1|39%3A1|240%3A1318)

(http://i4.ebayimg.com/05/i/001/08/c3/fd29_1.JPG)

Always liked the guzzi lemans 1, but this one started off as a lemans II, parts from stein dinse in victoria (healesville I think)

(http://i298.photobucket.com/albums/mm259/andrewb172/Motorrad_LM2_grn.jpg)

a 750SS would be nice but realistically, anyone who has one in any condition will want a fortune for it, and if they don't there would be a bloody good reason why not. a good example of this would be the rare stuff missing. which to buy individually will cost more than an arm and a leg!!!!
a round case sport is nice, getting expensive now too, as are 750 GT's, and the GT has valve spring heads like the 860. the 860 would be the cheapest to buy followed by the darmah, darmah SS, then the 750GT, 750 Sport, 900SS and finally the 750SS. this is assuming the condition is similar of course.
For me, the 750GT would be my pick, followed by the darmah, but that's me, remember though that theres a lot of competition for parts for these things and prices are at a premium for everything, when you look at parting with 10 grand for a std engine rebuild you have to ask yourself if it's worth it anymore. I like to tinker as much as the next guy but times have changed and unless a complete bike falls into your lap at the right price you had better be ready to say goodbye to a lot of moola, my estimate was around 40K and that's conservative with doing almost everything myself, then at the end of it you have a bike that isn't very fast, doesn't handle well or brake hardly at all by todays measures, and yes i know that isn't the point but once you get bored with riding it it will be an expensive ornament that you would be lucky to get your money back on.
just my .02c

paul.

Thats the sort of thing I am thinking

a fix me uperra will set you back between 10 and 15k and thats the platform  [thumbsup]

 :o  :o next!!!

The next best would be as loony said darmah seen them arround for as little as 4k but still a fix me up  and it aint no rount case [thumbsup]

Why do I have to love Italian motorctcles  [bang]. Why can't I have a deep admiration for Kwaka or honda  [bang]. I am thinking Pantah, look to pick up a cheap runner thats complete and see where it takes me.


Isn't that the same for every motorcycle, particularly a Duc?
Not interested in the investment side, more looking to tinker in the shed after the kids are in bed, my problem is I work from home and my office is in my garage. If  I get a spare moment to myself I end up sitting at my desk and working, my wife is concerned I am becoming obsessed with my work  [roll] . I need a distraction.  [thumbsup]

http://cgi.ebay.com.au/DUCATI-CLASSIC_W0QQitemZ170283160860QQihZ007QQcategoryZ102683QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem (http://cgi.ebay.com.au/DUCATI-CLASSIC_W0QQitemZ170283160860QQihZ007QQcategoryZ102683QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem)

jeez.....couldn't make that one look any uglier, needs a good home and some lovin'

Well the shopping for a project is over, I just brought home a banged up MV Agusta F4 1+1 Ev 03.
Mostly cosmetic damage, needs some work but will be fun. Started the strip down and so far so good, the throw away parts pile is smaller than the keepers pile so all good at the moment.
You thought genuine duc parts were expensive  [roll] OMG, Flea bay here I come!

Very cool purchase...  [thumbsup]

Some pics please Tricolore of the lady stripped down.....  ;D

PS: Did "Robin" come with it?????
      http://www.fastdates.com/PLN.NewBikes/MVAgusta/2005MVAgustaF4-1000/2005MVAgustaF4.03.HTM

Nice pick-up Tri.

Is she gonna be a road toy or a track toy.

Not sure yet, I will do the math when I have a full part list. See what happens then, I have a budget I need to stick to so if the bits are too $ then I will simply keep it basic and track only. Either way it will see some track time  [moto].
Will try and post some pics today!

Here 'tis,
(http://i281.photobucket.com/albums/kk203/Stozza_photos/MV004.jpg)
(http://i281.photobucket.com/albums/kk203/Stozza_photos/StripdownMV002.jpg)
(http://i281.photobucket.com/albums/kk203/Stozza_photos/StripdownMV003.jpg)

 8)

Where's the damage?
Didn't you say she was banged up!

In the first photo: missing mirror, dangly indicator, stone chip on the fairing

The other photos: there seems to be a fair bit missing  [cheeky]

You're right Matty, seems to be in pretty good nick.

Mostly cosmetic, Steering head bearing collapsed, levers, brake and gear shifter, that sort of stuff. Most I will patch/repair and replace what i can't.
Her's some pics of the damage.
(http://i281.photobucket.com/albums/kk203/Stozza_photos/MV003.jpg)
(http://i281.photobucket.com/albums/kk203/Stozza_photos/MV012.jpg)

Considering I have no idea what I am doing I am still pretty confident about the whole thing.

It's the best way to approach it with no idea just being confident in the outcome.

How about an update on your MV

Its currently hanging from the rafters in the garage.
Getting there (slowly) it was never going to be a quick process. I have repaired the fairings, 3/4 finished the repair on the front upper. Parts from MV have arrived for me to put the front end back together. I have been negotiating with some friend in europe for parts. Dash/ headlight/ mirrors. Most parts have been sourced, just gotta come up with the cash. I am repairing all I can (anyone know how to paint?)
I will post some pics...

(http://i281.photobucket.com/albums/kk203/Stozza_photos/various7209048.jpg)
This is the side fairing, in primer
(http://i281.photobucket.com/albums/kk203/Stozza_photos/StripdownMV005.jpg)
This is the pile of mangled plastic I started with (note the red front upper fairing in 2 pieces on top of the pile.)
(http://i281.photobucket.com/albums/kk203/Stozza_photos/various7209092.jpg)
Just placed the plastics there for the pics.
(http://i281.photobucket.com/albums/kk203/Stozza_photos/various7209093.jpg)

looks like your doing a great Job Tri ,If you need any help with anything let me know  [thumbsup]

In regards to painting you should be able to get that painted for less than $600, which will give you a good  paint job a and little more for a schmick one ,my desmo cost me a little more than that but there was lots more masking than i can see on your job.Although he screwed up the colour match the paint was 90%, better than some high $ jobs i have seen on repairs  .In your case 2 basic colours  Phhhhh your loughing  [thumbsup]

Cant wait to see it finished and more exciting on the track  ;D

Thanks for that Vince, I may be bugging you and some of the hands on type people for advice, RE: Setting the front triples and clip ons, Adjusting the suspension etc in the near future. I have very little experience with this stuff.
As for the paint, I will most likely take the stuff to some local painters and get some advice and prices from them.
The more I read about the MV's and hear from other MV owners the more I look forward to getting out on the track, By all accounts they are a formidable mid sized track bike.
Cheers.

Fired the little 750 up today, man it sounds sweet! Don't get me wrong, its no V-twin with Termi's but still very nice.  [wine]
Took it for a quick rap around the block, Its no S4Rs but it goes OK. Still got some geometry issues in the front end, bit more tinkering should be OK. NOT comfortable! The monster is like a limo compared. Getting there. Post some Pics soon.

Sounds great looking forward to your progress and maybe it being out on the track soon.

Great to hear Tri,good way to start with the front end is to set the suspension to factory or count the clicks and set them to the center you will need to decide track or road ? If you have had the clipons off best place to start is to set then up so the bar ends are in line with the center of the forks, eg: if you were to draw a line through the center of the 2 forks from left to right, the bar ends should hit the same line in the center of the ends. this will give you a neutral fee to the steering. Just be careful that the switch blocks are in the right position as during the accident they may have broken the locating pin and may rub the tank or fairing (don't ask me how i know this),not likely though. Another good one is to decide is if you are going to use it for the road or track before you set up the leaver position. Bit more on that when you decide [thumbsup]